Magnetic hair extensions

ABSTRACT

A magnetic hair extension apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus can use a magnet, which enables the apparatus to be conveniently applied and removed from the hair of a user. The apparatus includes a first portion having a magnet and a hair weft, and a second portion having magnetic material and a hair weft. To wear, the second portion is placed over the first portion with the hair of the user sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion. The magnet is attracted to the magnetic material and thus, can securely attach the apparatus to the hair of the user. A combination of these materials results in an easy to use, easy to remove, easy to transport, and harmless hair extension apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/005,449 filed Jun. 11, 2018 entitled “Magnetic HairExtensions” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a hair extension apparatus whichcan be worn by a user. More particularly, but not exclusively, to a hairextension apparatus using a magnet.

BACKGROUND

Hair styles are one of the more noticeable features of people. Due tothis, people generally style, color, and cut hair to improve theirappearance and even self-esteem. Others, due to age, genetics orpreference choose to use hair extensions to provide a temporary andnon-committal method to change their hair style. Hair extensions can beused to add different hair colors, lengths, and even form (e.g., curls,waves, straight) into the natural hair of a user. Common methods ofincorporating hair extensions are by weaves, by the strand-by-strandmethod, and by the clip-in-hair method.

A traditional weave hair extension is expensive and lasts for a shortperiod. Further, the application process for the traditional weave cantake several hours. In the strand-by-strand method, the extensions areglued to small pieces of natural hair of the user by a trained andlicensed hair stylist. The strand-by-strand application process can harmthe hands of the stylist and the hair of the user, while also costingsignificantly high.

SUMMARY

Introduced here is a hair extension apparatus that utilizes magneticfields to attach a hair extension apparatus to the hair of the user. Theapparatus can use a magnet, which enables the apparatus to beconveniently applied and removed from the hair of the user. Theapparatus includes a magnet, magnetic material, a hair weft, and apolymer base. The magnet is attracted to the magnetic material and thus,can securely attach the apparatus to the hair of the user.

In some embodiments, the apparatus has two separate portions. The firstportion comprises a magnet, a hair weft, and a polymer base. The secondportion comprises a magnetic material such as iron oxide, a hair weft,and a polymer base. In other embodiments, the apparatus is one piecewith two portions or ends. The first portion comprises a magnet, a hairweft, and a polymer base, and the second portion, which is foldablycoupled with the first portion, comprises a magnetic material, a hairweft, and a polymer base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated by wayof example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanyingdrawings, in which like references indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first configuration of a hair extension apparatus.

FIG. 2A illustrates a method of applying the apparatus to a user.

FIG. 2B illustrates the apparatus after being worn by the user.

FIG. 3 shows the apparatus with two portions magnetically coupled toeach other.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second configuration of a hair apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process of applying the hair extensionapparatus.

FIG. 6 illustrates a hair extension apparatus with magnetic particles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The hair extension apparatus can provide an easy to apply, easy toremove, and harmless method of using hair extensions. The hair extensionapparatus disclosed herein can include a first portion with a magnet, asecond portion with a magnetic material, a hair weft, and a polymerbase. The first portion is attracted to the second portion due to theattraction between the magnet and the magnetic material. Thus, the firstportion and the second portion securely attach to each other and thehair of the user. The second portion can include materials that act as ashield to diminish the magnetic field caused by the first portion. Bydoing so, the magnetic field of the apparatus may not attract peripheralmetallic objects. In some embodiments, the two portions are implementedas separate and distinct portions, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, and in someembodiments, the apparatus is implemented as a single piece in which thetwo portions are foldably coupled to each other, e.g., as shown in FIG.4.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first configuration of a hair extension apparatus.The hair extension apparatus 100 includes two separate and distinctportions 104 and 110. Inner portion 104 can be made of a polymer such aspolyurethane, oil based materials, or wax based materials. In someembodiments, inner portion 104 can be made with other materials, whichcan be coated with a polymer, or a polymer tape. For example, innerportion 104 can have a cardboard base which is coated with polyurethane.

Inner portion 104 can be in various shapes and/or sizes to help concealor place the apparatus 100 in the hair of a user. Inner portion 104 canalso be shaped differently based on the preference of a user. Forexample, a user may only want a small hair extension. Thus, a smalldot-like shape may be best. In other situations, a user may want tomaximize the use of a hair extension. Thus, a large square or rectanglemay be best. An example dimension of inner portion 104 can be arectangle of 4 cm by 1 cm.

Additionally, inner portion 104 can be in various colors. This helps theapparatus 100 blend in with the hair of the user. For example, a userwith black hair may not want to use the inner portion 104 that is of acolor other than black as the inner portion 104 may appear to bedistinct from the hair, which may not be a pleasing sight. Therefore,inner portion 104 can incorporate a dye for a particular color duringmanufacture.

Inner portion 104 includes magnet 102. Magnet 102 can be in the form ofone or more pieces, one or more shapes, and can be of one or more types.In some embodiments, magnet 102 is a permanent earth magnet such as aneodymium rare earth magnet. In other embodiments, magnet 102 is acombination of neodymium rare earth magnets and samarium-cobalt magnets.

Magnet 102 is mechanically coupled to inner portion 104. Magnet 102 isincorporated to inner portion 104 by various methods such as by adhesiveor incorporated therein during manufacture. In some embodiments, innerportion 104 can act as a sleeve to receive magnet 102. In otherembodiments, magnet 102 can be incorporated inside a polyurethanematerial of inner portion 104 during manufacture. Thus, magnet 102 canbe encapsulated inside the polyurethane material of inner portion 104.In other embodiments, magnet 102 can be bonded (e.g., by adhesive) toinner portion 104.

Magnet 102 can be placed anywhere on inner portion 104 to maximizeattraction to the magnetic material incorporated in outer portion 110.For example, magnet 102 can be placed in the middle, near the outeredges, or in any other placement pattern. In addition, magnet 102 can beany size or shape that fits within the dimensions of inner portion 104.For example, magnet 102 can be a 0.5-inch by 1-inch rectangle, a0.5-inch by 0.5-inch square, or a circle with a 0.5-inch diameter.

Inner portion 104 includes hair weft 106. Hair weft 106 can be Remyhair, non-Remy hair, human hair, synthetic hair, or a combinationthereof. Hair weft 106 can be attached to inner surface 104 by, forexample, weaving, heat and bond, or adhesive. Additionally, hair weft106 can be placed anywhere near any side of inner portion 104. Forexample, hair weft 106 can be placed to only cover 25% of inner portion104 or to cover a 100% of inner portion 104. In another example, hairweft 106 can be placed near one or both sides of inner portion 104.Regardless, the placement of the hair weft 106 is such that the hairweft 106 does not diminish the magnetic attraction between the innerportion 104 and the outer portion 110 to an extent that keeps theapparatus 100 from being secured to the hair of the user.

Outer portion 110 can be made of a polymer such as polyurethane, oilbased materials, or wax based materials. Outer portion 110 can also bemade of other materials, which can be coated with a polymer, or coveredusing a polymer tape. For example, outer portion 110 can have acardboard base which is coated with polyurethane. Additionally, similarto inner portion 104, the polymer can be in various colors and variousshapes to blend in with the hair of the user or align with thepreference of the user. An example dimension of outer portion 110 can bea rectangle of 4 cm by 1 cm.

Magnetic material 108 is mechanically coupled to outer portion 110.Magnetic material 108 can be in the form of a powder (as shown) or solidpiece(s). In some embodiments, magnetic material 108 is made of aferromagnetic magnetic material such as black iron oxide. Magneticmaterial 108 is incorporated to outer portion 110 by various methodssuch as by adhesive or by incorporation during manufacture. In someembodiments, outer portion 110 can act as a sleeve to receive magneticmaterial 108. In other embodiments, magnetic material 108 can beincorporated inside a polyurethane material of outer portion 110 duringmanufacture. Thus, magnetic material 108 can be encapsulated inside thepolyurethane material of outer portion 110. In other embodiments,magnetic material 108 can be bonded (e.g., by adhesive) to outer surface110. In yet another embodiment, magnetic material 108 can be in the formof a powder which can be incorporated into outer surface 110 duringmanufacture. For example, black iron oxide powder can be mixed intopolyurethane during manufacture. This mixture is then molded to becomeouter surface 110. In some embodiments, the magnetic material 108 canalso be a magnet.

According to another embodiment, the outer surface 110 is comprised of amagnoelastic material. The magnoelastic material comprising a polymerand magnetic material 108. The polymer being malleable, so that theouter surface can be formed to conform with the shape of the user's heador any other advantageous shape. According to another embodiment, themagnoelastic material is rigid. For example, the polymer is apolyurethane that is mixed with neodymium iron boron powder and thenformed using injection molding.

The magnetic material 108 being magnetically attracted to a magnet 102on the inner portion 104. The magnet 102 comprising a ferromagneticmaterial. The magnet 102 attached to the inner portion 104 by variousmethods such as by adhesive or by incorporation during manufacture. Themagnetic attraction between the magnetic material 108 and the magnet 102is sufficient to hold the hair extension apparatus 100 on the user'snatural hair.

Outer portion 110 includes hair weft 112. Hair weft 112 is mechanicallycoupled to outer portion 110. Hair weft 112 can be mechanically coupledto outer surface 110 by, for example, weaving, heat and bond, oradhesive. Additionally, hair weft 112 can be placed anywhere near anyside of the outer portion 110. For example, hair weft 112 can be placedto cover 25% of the outer portion 110 or to cover a 100% of the outerportion 110. In another example, hair weft 106 is placed near one orboth sides of outer portion 110.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a method of applying hair extensionapparatus 100 to hair of a user 202. In this embodiment, a spot on thehead of the user is selected for placement of the apparatus 100, aportion of the hair of the user 202 near the selected spot is brushedout of the way, inner portion 104 is held against the scalp or hair ofuser 202. Once in place, a portion of the hair of user 202 can coverinner portion 104. Next, outer portion 110 can be placed over the innerportion 104 (as depicted by arrow 206) to magnetically couple with innerportion 104 with the portion of the hair covering inner portion 104being sandwiched between inner portion 104 and outer portion 110. Oncecoupled, hair 204 of user 202, including the brushed out of the wayhair, can cover outer portion 110 (and also inner portion 104) of hairextension apparatus 100.

The two portions 104 and 110 can be placed anywhere on hair 204 of user202. In some embodiments, apparatus 100 can be placed on the scalp ofuser 202. In other embodiments, apparatus 100 can be placed in hair 204near neck of user 202, near the bottom of hair 204, or away from thescalp of user 202. For example, to thicken the appearance of hair 204,user 202 can place apparatus 100 near the scalp of user 202. Similarly,to make hair 204 of user 202 appear longer, user 202 can attachapparatus 100 away from the scalp of user 202.

The two portions 104 and 110 can be placed anywhere on the scalp or hairof user 202 and at any angle. In some embodiments, apparatus 100 can beplaced on the side, back, front or top of the head of user 202. Althoughthe slant of the scalp of the user 202 may change, it will not affectthe ability of the apparatus 100 to stay in place. This is becauseportions 104 and 110 do not adhere to the scalp of the user 202.Portions 104 and 110 adhere to each other and hair 204 of user 202. Inother embodiments, the portions 104 and 110 can be placed at any angle.For example, the apparatus 100 can be placed horizontally or vertically,in reference to the directionality of hair 204 of user 202. While theexample of FIG. 1 shows a first arrangement of apparatus 100 in whichinner portion 104 is placed toward/near the scalp (and hence referred toas “inner portion”) and outer portion 110 is placed over inner portion104 and away from the scalp (and hence referred to as “outer portion”),other arrangements of apparatus 100 are also possible. For example, in asecond arrangement, outer portion 110 is placed toward/near the scalpand inner portion 104 is placed over outer portion 110 (and away fromthe scalp). However, in some embodiments, the second arrangement may bedisadvantageous as the magnet 102 in the inner portion 104, which isaway from the scalp, can attract any peripheral metallic materials,e.g., curling iron, that the user 202 may use for the hair 204.

FIG. 2B illustrates apparatus 100 after being worn by user 202. Outerportion 110 has been placed on top of inner portion 104 to magneticallycouple to each other. The two portions 104 and 110 are separated by atleast a portion of hair 204 of user 202. This allows for apparatus 100to stay in place while user 202 continues daily activities. Theappearance of hair 204 of user 202 is a combination of hair 204 of user202, hair weft 106 and hair weft 112. In some embodiments, hair 204 ofuser 202 can cover apparatus 100. By doing so, the apparatus may not bevisible.

Outer portion 110 can shield the magnetic field of magnet 102. This isbeneficial because apparatus 100 may be less attracted to the peripheralmetallic materials in the proximity of apparatus 100. In someembodiments, outer portion 110 covers up inner portion 104. By doing so,the magnetic field of magnet 102 may be diminished or may have a smallerrange that keeps apparatus 100 from being attracted to the peripheralmetallic materials.

In other embodiments, outer portion 110 may include non-magneticmaterials to better prevent attraction to peripheral metallic materials.For example, one side of the outer portion 110 may have the magneticmaterial (e.g., the side attracted to inner portion 104), while theother side (e.g., the side facing outwards from the user 202) may bemade of a non-magnetic material such as plastic.

FIG. 3 shows another perspective of apparatus 100 with two portions 104and 110 magnetically coupled to each other. In this embodiment, magneticmaterial 108 is in powder form and is incorporated into outer portion110. Inner portion 104 has three magnets 102. Hair wefts 106 and 112 canbe Remy hair, non-Remy hair, human hair, synthetic hair, or acombination thereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second configuration of a hair apparatus. Hairapparatus 400 includes a left portion 404 and a right portion 406 whichare foldably coupled to each other at middle portion 402. Apparatus 400has hair weft 408, hair weft 410, magnet 412, magnetic material 414, aleft portion 404, a right portion 406, and middle portion 402. In someembodiments, the left portion 404 is similar to inner portion 104 ofapparatus 100, right portion 406 to outer portion 110, hair weft 408 tohair weft 106, hair weft 410 to hair weft 112, magnet 412 to magnet 102,and magnetic material 414 to magnetic material 108.

Middle portion 402 can be means or a mechanism that allows the leftportion 404 and the right portion 406 to be folded towards and away fromeach other. In some embodiments, the middle portion 402 can be amechanical element that connects two objects, such as a hinge, a coiledspring, or a clasp. In some embodiments, the left portion 404, middleportion 402, and the right portion 406 are part of the same piece (andmade of the same material such as polyurethane), and middle portion 402can be a perforated fold line that facilitates the folding of the leftportion 404 and the right portion 406 towards or away from each other.In some embodiments, middle portion 402 can be made of similar materialas the left portion 404 and the right portion 406. For example, allthree portions 404, 402, and 406 can be made of polyurethane in whichmiddle portion 402 forms a perforated fold line separating the left andright portions. Left portion 404 can be in the form of a sleeve toreceive a neodymium rare earth magnet, and right portion 406 can haveblack iron oxide powder incorporated into polyurethane duringmanufacture.

Middle portion 402 can physically couple both the left portion 404 andthe right portion 406. User 202 can wear apparatus 400 in a way similarto apparatus 100. User 202 can hold the left portion 404 near theselected spot, cover the left portion 404 with a portion of the hair 204of the user 202, then fold the right portion 406 onto the left portion404 to adhere the apparatus 400 to hair 204 of user 202. To removeapparatus 400, user 202 can pull one portion (e.g., left portion 404 orright portion 406) away from the other portion (e.g., left portion 404or right portion 406).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process of applying hair extension apparatus100. In step 502, user 202 separates hair 204 to make space forapparatus 100. For example, if user 202 wishes to use apparatus 100 atthe back of the head of user 202, then space must be made for apparatus100 at the back of the head user 202. This can be done by physicallymoving hair 204 to a different location such as by a hair clip or rubberband. User 202 can also lift hair 204 then release the hair 204 afterapparatus 100 has been placed.

In step 504, inner portion 104 is placed against the scalp of user 202.In other embodiments, user 202 can place inner portion 104 anywherealong hair 204 of user 202.

In step 506, inner portion 104 is covered with a portion of hair 202.

In step 508, outer portion 110 is magnetically coupled to inner portion104.

In other embodiments, user 202 can alter these steps in order to bestachieve the preference of user 202. For example, user 202 may placeouter portion 110 against the scalp of user 202 and inner portion 104 ontop of the outer portion 110. This can be done if user 202 wants tomagnetically couple other decorative accessories to the head of user202.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a hair extension apparatus 600with magnetic particles 602. The inner component 604 and the outercomponent 606 have magnetic particles 602 incorporated into the basewhich is a magnoelastic material. A hair weft 608 is shown on both theinner component 604 and the outer component 606. Optionally, only theinner component 604 or the outer component 606 has a hair weft 608. Theend of the hair weft 608 is incorporated into the inner component 604 orthe outer component 606 so that the hair weft falls naturally like auser's hair. The inner component 604, outer component 606 and the hairweft 608 can be any color to match the user's scalp and natural hair.

The inner component and outer component are both comprised of amagnoelastic material. A magnoelastic material is a material that can bedeformed and has magnetic properties. The magnoelastic material caninclude a polymer, polymers can be natural or manmade. Manmade polymersthat could form a part of the magnoelastic material includepolyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, synthetic rubber, phenol formaldehyde resin, neoprene, nylon,polyacrylonitrile, PVB, silicone, etc. Natural polymers can also be usedsuch as hemp, shellac, amber, wool, silk, and natural rubber. Accordingto one embodiment the polymer is malleable so that the magnoelasticmaterial is pliable and can conform to any shape, including being bentto conform to the shape of a user's head.

A magnoelastic material is created by incorporating small magneticparticles 602 into a polymer. Magnetic materials can consist ofrare-earth magnets such as samarium cobalt and neodymium iron boron;ferromagnets such as iron ore, cobalt, nickel, gadolinium anddysprosium; ferrites such as powdered iron oxide and barium/strontiumcarbonate ceramic; alnico magnets that are a combination of aluminum,nickel and cobalt with iron; and ferromagnetic compounds such as ferricoxide. According to one embodiment, the magnetic particles are in theform of a powder when they are incorporated into the polymer to form themagnoelastic material.

According to an embodiment, the magnoelastic material is formed byinjection molding. The magnetic particles 602 and the polymer arecombined and then injected into a mold during manufacturing oralternatively, the magnetic particles 602 are placed in the mold andthen the polymer is injected into the mold. The mold can be adapted toany shape including a rectangle, a square, a circle, an ellipse, etc.

The inner component 604 and outer component 606 are placed above andbelow a section of the user's hair. The hair extension apparatus 600 isheld on to the user's hair by the magnetic force of the magneticparticles 602 incorporated into the magnoelastic material of the innercomponent 604 and the outer component 606. The magnetic particles 602are attracted by magnetic forces and hold the hair extension apparatuson the user's hair.

According to an embodiment, the inner component 604 and outer component606 are connected so that they fold on top of each other. The connectionbetween the inner component 604 and outer component 606 is a mechanicalelement that connects two objects, such as a hinge, a coiled spring, ora clasp. When applied to the user's hair, the hair extension apparatusis slid into the user's hair and the inner component 604 and outercomponent 606 are brought together around a section of the user's hair.

According to an embodiment, the magnoelastic material is only pliablewhen heat is applied to the magnoelastic material. When the magnoelasticmaterial is heated it can be deformed and made into a new shape. Whenthe magnoelastic material cools it becomes rigid.

The hair extension apparatus 600 can be placed in a user's hair byidentifying and sectioning off a small portion of the user's hair. Thesmall portion of the user's hair is underneath the top most layer of theuser's hair so that the inner component 604 and the outer component 606are disguised by an upper layer of user hair that lays over the top ofthe hair extension apparatus 600.

The inner component 604 is then placed below the small portion of theuser's hair. The outer component 606 is place above the small portion ofthe user's hair. The inner component 604 and the outer component 606sandwich the small portion of user hair between them. The hair extensionapparatus 600 is held on to the user's hair by the magnetic attractionbetween the inner component 604 and the outer component 606. The upperlayer of the user's hair is then laid over the outer component 606,disguising the outer component 606.

In this description, references to “user” mean the person who wears thehair extension apparatus or the person who has the apparatus placed ontheir person.

In this description, references to “an embodiment”, “one embodiment” orthe like, mean that the particular feature, function, structure orcharacteristics being described is included in at least one embodimentof the technique introduced here. Occurrences of such phrases in thisspecification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Onthe other hand, the embodiments referred to also are not necessarilymutually exclusive.

Any or all of the features and functions described above can be combinedwith each other, except to the extent it may be otherwise stated aboveor to the extent that any such embodiments may be incompatible by virtueof their function or structure, as will be apparent to persons ofordinary skill in the art. Unless contrary to physical possibility, itis envisioned that (i) the methods/steps described herein may beperformed in any sequence and/or in any combination, and that (ii) thecomponents of respective embodiments may be combined in any manner.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or acts, it is to be understood that the subjectmatter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to thespecific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific featuresand acts described above are disclosed as examples of implementing theclaims, and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be withinthe scope of the claims.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but that various modifications may be made without deviating from thescope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited exceptas by the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A hair extension apparatus, comprising: a first component,the first component comprised of a first magnoelastic material; and asecond component, the second component comprised of a secondmagnoelastic material and a hair weft; wherein an end of the hair weftis incorporated into the second magnoelastic material; and wherein thefirst magnoelastic material is attracted to the second magnoelasticmaterial.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first componentfurther comprises: a first component hair weft.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first magnoelastic material and the secondmagnoelastic material are comprised of a malleable polymer material andmagnetic particles.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the malleablepolymer material comprises polyurethane.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4,wherein the magnetic particles comprise neodymium iron boron particles.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the neodymium iron boron particlesare a powder.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the magneticparticles further comprise iron oxide.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the first magnoelastic material and the second magnoelasticmaterial are formed by injection molding.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first magnoelastic material and the second magnoelasticmaterial are malleable when heated and rigid when cooled.
 10. A hairextension apparatus, comprising: a first component, the first componentcomprised of a ferromagnetic metal; and a second component, the secondcomponent comprised of a magnoelastic material and a hair weft; whereinan end of the hair weft is incorporated into the magnoelastic material;and wherein the ferromagnetic material is attracted to the magnoelasticmaterial.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the magnoelasticmaterial is comprised of a malleable polymer material and magneticparticles.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the malleable polymermaterial comprises polyurethane.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, whereinthe magnetic particles comprise neodymium iron boron particles.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the neodymium iron boron particles are apowder.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the magnoelastic materialand is formed by injection molding.
 16. A method for attaching a hairextension to user hair, the method comprising: sectioning, a portion ofthe user hair; placing a first component below the portion of the userhair; and placing a second component opposite the first component, theportion of the user hair disposed between the first component and thesecond component; wherein the first component and the second componentare magnetically attracted.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein thefirst component comprises a first magnoelastic material; wherein thesecond component comprises a second magnoelastic material and a hairweft; and wherein an end of the hair weft is incorporated into thesecond magnoelastic material.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein thefirst magnoelastic material and the second magnoelastic material arecomprised of a malleable polymer material and magnetic particles. 19.The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the malleable polymer materialcomprises polyurethane.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein themagnetic particles comprise neodymium iron boron particles.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the first magnoelastic material and thesecond magnoelastic material are formed by injection molding.